August is a good time to start planning for the fall planting and if it is not too warm you can get a jump on the fall planting season. Looks like we will be cooler for a couple of weeks. Well, cooler than the summer has been so far. Remember that fall is the best time for planting trees and shrubs. Especially trees.
I know the ground is hard after the summer but if you start a hole and soak it and then dig a little more and soak it, pretty soon the hole you need for the tree or shrub is done and it is a fairly painless way to dig a hole.
Watering and Mulching
Continue to water established plants deeply for the balance of the summer and into fall and be sure that if mulch you added at the beginning of the summer is getting thin, add more to keep the moisture you are applying in the ground.
Fall Planting
We have a good selection of trees and shrubs for fall planting in stock now. If you want to get a jump start and plant now, just be sure to keep the plant moist for the rest of the summer and into the fall. Water it once a day after you plant for the first week and then every two to three days for the balance of the season and it will do well.
Fall Fertilizing
Fall fertilizing should be done in September. The weather will be cooler and the days shorter so even when we get some warm days the heat does not last as long. This is the time for fall fertilizing. Trees and shrubs will benefit from a balanced fertilizer. Citrus should be fertilized with a citrus ferilizer.
When fertilizing, water the plant the day before very well. Then fertilize the following day and water in well. Never fertilize a dry plant. It will burn it and can possibly kill it.
Grass Seed
Grass seed for lawns or pasture or overseeding should be done in late August or September. Get it planted while it is still warm but not baking hot. The seed will germinate quickly and it will need to be kept moist while it gets established. Don’t wait too late in the season or it won’t get well enough established before the winter and may have a tough time getting through the winter. I’m ordering new stock of grass seed which should be in next week, so we will have a good supply for all planting needs.
Winter Vegetables
We will start getting winter vegetables and winter annuals in September. Watch the weather. If it’s too warm it will cause them to bolt. But get them in early in the fall so that they get developed and start producing for you before it gets cold.
Special Orders
If you would like us to special order items for you that we may not have in stock, let us know. We do need payment in advance on all special orders.
The weather will be getting cooler soon. Start getting ready to plant for fall now.
We hope to see you soon.
Jeff
